Both Taoism and Taoist scholars like to talk about "immortals". Neo-Confucianism is deeply influenced by Taoism, but it can be viewed critically. Generally speaking, Neo-Confucianism does not believe that there are immortals who can change at will, but it believes that there is a truth of preserving shape, refining qi and prolonging life. Scientists such as Cheng and Zhu also believe that seeing and hearing are extraordinary, knowing before induction and even leaving the shell of the soul. The following are discussed separately.

Zhang Zai, a neo-Confucian, dismissed the Taoist theory of immortals as "fallacy", but he was not sure about anything. He said, "The unknowable is God, and the absurd is God and man." ("The Apotheosis of True Dreams")

Cheng denied Taoism's theory of immortality and soaring in the daytime, and affirmed Taoism's theory of keeping shape, refining qi and prolonging life. "Q:' What is a fairy tale?' "I don't know how this happened. If you say you're soaring during the day, that's fine. If you live in the mountains, there is something to keep in shape and refine your life. " From the perspective of modern science, living in the mountains with fresh air and negative oxygen ions can enhance the vitality of human cells. And away from worldly and carefree things, plus physical exercise, breathing, and maintaining the original balance between man and nature. These are in line with the road to health and are conducive to prolonging people's life.

Cheng Yi also believes that meditation and gas refining, after deep kung fu, can know before. "Q:' People outside China came to see him. "What is a prophet?" said,' Yes. I'd like to see Jason Wu do this. "Q:' How can I? Just say' calm down, and then you can take pictures. "("suicide note "volume on September 18th)

Cheng Zi's so-called gas refining is the so-called qigong today, but in ancient times it was called guidance, which is actually a kind of abdominal breathing with body movement. This method has an ancient tradition. "Zhuangzi Deliberately" said: "Breathe, get rid of the old and get new, and the bear reaches out to the bird for a long life. This guide, the person who keeps fit, is also the pet of Peng Zushou. " "Bao Puzi's Miscellaneous English Articles" also talked about some guiding actions, such as "the dragon attracts the tiger, the bear crosses the turtle's throat, the swallow bends the snake, and the bird stretches". Probably, ancient people worshipped animal characteristics, such as agility, hibernation and longevity. After long-term observation of their lives and minds, various bionic movements are compiled, and the purpose of health preservation is achieved through the cultivation and control of internal forces. Neo-Confucianism has a considerable understanding of Taoist kung fu of cultivating quietness and refining qi. Zhu also commented on the Taoist classic Zhouyi Shentongqi.

Taoist theoretical books on Neidan (Qigong) are overwhelming. However, it is regarded as a secret that will not be circulated for thousands of years. The yogi has the saying that "half a piece of paper is true and five books are false". In fact, the essence of Qigong is the harmony of spirit and gas. The sentence in Laozi, "Holding the spirit of camp and embracing one, can be born out of nothing", is enough to sum up. The so-called camp is soul, spirit and spirit, and embracing one is unity. When practicing, the mind (god) focuses on the movement of qi in the abdomen, that is, to achieve the purpose of "refining qi" So Zhu Xiang pointed out:

"Health people say a thousand words, say the dragon says the tiger, say the lead says the mercury, and say the words, that's all. As the old saying goes,' Can you hold your soul? Can you be as soft as a baby when you are angry?' Today's Taoism, just holding on to the outside, knows the so-called' hold your breath and don't leave'! "("Zhuzi Chinese Class "Volume 87)

It can be seen that Zhu has a profound understanding of Taoist inner alchemy.

Based on the theory of Qi and God, Zhu believes that a health-preserving family can refine Sheng Qiang's Qi, so his body dies and his Qi lingers between heaven and earth, sometimes appearing in the sky. This is the so-called immortality, but it will last for a long time and its qi will dissipate. Zhu said to:

"After a long time, the spirit will be scattered. People say immortals don't die, but generations say something. The Han Dynasty said something about An Qisheng, but no one said it after the Tang Dynasty. He also said it was Han and Chinese, but now he has disappeared. It can be seen that he just had one more life test, but in the end he also dispersed. " (Zhuzi School, Volume III)

Many Taoist documents talk about an out-of-body experience phenomenon, which Taoism calls Yang Shen (Yuan Shen). Yang Shen is essentially a kind of qi, that is, yang, true qi and vitality. Taoism believes that when qigong is cultivated to an advanced stage, it will be born like a baby, beautiful and lovely, coming out of Tianmen (Baihui point on the top of the head). It will be controlled by ideas at first, but it should not be long for the time being, and it should not be far away. Gradually, you can close it freely, and it will be far away, wandering around and enjoying yourself. Zhu also believed in the theory that the Taoist Yang God appeared. He said: "There is a man in Pucheng Mountain who often burns Dan on the mountain. Later, because of the sunrise, I wished him a cloud:' If you don't come back for seven days, you can burn me.' In less than seven days, the man burned it. After that, the Taoist priest came back, shouting and cursing, and he could still write between the walls, but the ink was light and soon disappeared. "(ditto) Zhu is a rationalist, most influenced by Taoism, which is most obvious in his view of ghosts and gods. Therefore, what Pan said in the early Qing Dynasty was not groundless.

Wang Yangming, who has studied the skills of immortals, is no stranger to immortals. But he thinks it can't be discussed easily. Someone once asked him about immortals, but there was no answer in the book. Later, the man sent his brother to ask, and Yangming answered the book and admitted that he had practiced magic since childhood, but it was useless. He thinks that it is possible for the ancients to live to 1500 years old, such as Guangchengzi, but it is not entirely because of the cultivation of kung fu, but also because of innate qi, which is beyond human power. He also pointed out that the so-called fairy's house-pulling, house-pulling and house-pulling are all deceptive tricks and illusions. Can't help but believe: "If the immortals pull out the house, pull out the house, pull out the house, pull out the house, pull out the house and pull out the fairy, Yin Wenzi's so-called demon, stone's so-called outsider. If you say yes, you are also suspected of cheating your son. " (same as above)

Yang Ming also pointed out that the art of immortals is hard to say, and you really have to experience it yourself. "thirty years in seclusion in the mountains, refreshing, wholeheartedly, not hanging a dust in my chest, and then I can say this" (ibid.). In Yangming's view, the so-called immortal is not only a question of immortals, but also a question of character realm. Whether you become an immortal or a Buddha, you also need a spirit of dedication, abandon vulgar and tired thoughts, and concentrate on Tao for decades. Only in this way can you say whether there are immortals. From this perspective, life seems to be a big "bet". Is it really worth "gambling" that people are a fairy who knows nothing, has nothing and only has one life? This is another important value problem that needs to be solved first.

The consistent view of Confucianism is that immortals know everything and know everything. But if people really understand the way of life and know the way of life, they don't have to be immortal. Therefore, Confucius' words of "unknown people, how to cure ghosts" and "unknown life, how to know death" are of eternal charm, meaningful and intriguing.